6.21.2013

From what I gather from friends I'm unusual, but I actually catch up on my reading once summer vacation begins. We have 30 minutes of reading time for all of us during the day and I sit right alongside the kids and read my own books.

I chose 13 Reasons because a student in our high school recently committed suicide and I thought this book might help my 14 year old make some sense of it. After reading it, I chose not to give it to my son since I wasn't on board with the message the book sent. The story is of a high school student who also commits suicide and beforehand records a series of audio tapes explaining why and calling out each student she blames for her decision. After her death, the tapes are to be distributed to the "guilty" for them to listen to. (yes, I just ended this sentence in a preposition and it's really bugging me)

I just hated the lead character by the end of the book and didn't care if she committed suicide or not! That sounds terrible, but I just couldn't like her, and I didn't like that the author didn't fully explain the brain dysfunction that can also lead to suicidal thoughts.

Me Talk Pretty was just the opposite in weight and I needed some light reading! It's a collection of short stories that are pretty hilarious. I have listened to David Sedaris on This American Life podcast when I run, and just imagining the words in his voice made it even funnier. I would recommend this book for fun beach reading this summer!

6.20.2013

Dear friends of ours are moving this week and I knew that I wanted to host something special for them before they left. I organized a Farewell Party last weekend and I wanted to share.

I used Evite for the invitation, but there were no templates for goodbye parties, so I had to wing it by using a general themed invite. I had trouble with the phrasing and finally settled on "A Farewell Party in Honor of (my friends' names)".

I ordered a customized photo book from Shutterfly using my coupon code for free shipping (SHIP30). I filled it with our photos together from over the years and added friendship quotes. You can see our journey together here:

I found a hard bound notebook with their last initial on it and attached a pen and encouraged friends to write a goodbye note for them to take along with them.

We started the evening at a local restaurant with a Tuscan theme, so I made this simple centerpiece to decorate the table:

Here is a quick photo tutorial so you can make one for yourself:

Use clear, nesting containers.

Slice fruit of choice and place slices between the two nesting containers. I used lemons and sunflowers to keep with the Tuscan theme of the restaurant.

Cut flower stems so that the blooms are just above the opening of the container.

Fill with water, placing flowers in the center container and around the outside container to help hold the sliced fruit in place.

We moved on to a local nightclub after dinner to listen to a band and party our sadness away.

Since we couldn't use any decorations in the rented "lounge area" that attached to the walls or ceiling, we filled clear vases with different sizes of glow sticks. These served as decoration and people began to wear them once the party got started. We also used bunches of balloons and big bowls filled with bead necklaces to brighten up our area.

Though we had a great, fun night, it was still so sad to say goodbye to a friend that has become more like a sister over the years. I swear I haven't said goodbye to a good friend since college and the tears won't stop flowing!

6.17.2013

We usually eat at our hotel since they offer a complementary heavy continental breakfast, but one morning we always head out to Blue Heaven. This place has changed a lot since we started coming here 15 years ago, but I still like it just as well as before.

Play ping pong or shop the quirky art shop while you wait for a table. We had BLT Eggs Benedict (bacon, lobster, and tomato) that were fantastic!

Lunch -

We never visit Key West without a trip to El Siboney, authentic Cuban restaurant. When you see lots of work trucks in the parking lot, you know it's a great local place. I try the roast pork with a side of fried plantains and beans and rice...I dream about their beans and rice...

We usually end up spending one or two afternoons eating lunch while listening to Michael McCloud sing on the little stage at Schooner Wharf. This ramshackle bar is not much more than a roof with one wall and lots of umbrella tables and sun shades over top. They have good music, great atmosphere, great beer bucket specials, and a tasty "Miami Vice" (swirled strawberry daqueri & pina colada). We like to order the Key West Mahi Melt sandwich and the coconut shrimp.

The Hogfish Tacos and the white conch chowder are amazing and worth the ride. We sat right on the dock, looking over the fishing boats for an amazing lunch.

Sunset -

Everyone thinks that heading down to Mallory Square or the Pier House to view the sunset is a must, but we like the spots that are a little more "local" and less popular. We like the rooftop bar of Turtle Kraal right on the Gulf. We had jerk grilled chicken wings that were fantastic and saw the most beautiful sunset.

Looking over the railing into the interior courtyard in the back, we watched some bocce leagues for entertainment.

Happy Hour -

We always hit The Bull for early music and drinks while in Key West. They had 2 for 1 margaritas and Yankee Jack singing the day we were there. He pulled me onstage and sang me a song about mothers this afternoon:

It's always fun to have frozen drinks, and we headed right across the street to The Flying Monkey to sample a huge selection of frozen choices.

Dinner -

We stumbled into Caroline's Cafe for dinner one night and got to sit right on Duval Street to people watch while eating a great meal.

Fun -

We always rent bikes and you can bike just about anyplace you'd like to go on the island! It's great to get out into the air to really see the island. Like I said, we biked to Stock Island, and we biked all along the beach. They have a HUGE paved path that runs parallel to the water that is a beautiful ride.

There is live music in almost every place you enter and that is the huge draw for us since we love live music! Here we are in our favorite bar, Smokin' Tuna, listening to some of my favorite bands.

6.14.2013

While "Googling" a solution to our TV that keeps randomly turning off (always right when someone is about to kiss, tell a joke, or reveal a deep dark secret!), I stumbled upon a story from The Daily Caller website about a Milwaukee elementary school's proposed "Switch it up Day" (originally called "Gender Bender Day"). What on earth Google thinks this has to do with the search term "tv turns off when using my dvr", I have no idea!

Anyway, it caught my eye so I clicked and read about Tippecanoe School for the Arts' spirit week. One of the spirit days involved girls dressing as boys and boys dressing as girls for the day. Our school has a similar spirit week and the themes are Crazy Sock Day, School Spirit Day, Backward Day, etc...

I was able to find a copy of the flyer distributed by the school with the original name here:

The school stated that the day's theme was "chosen by the school's student council and it is only meant to be fun" and that participation wasn't mandatory. (source)

A school board member speculated that parents stirring up controversy over the day were using their children for political purposes and that little children aren't thinking of "sexual orientation". (source)

When it came time to celebrate "Switch it up Day"/ "Gender Bender Day" it was reported that few students participated and that most of the gender benders were teachers and staff.

There are lots of comments on the articles I found on this controversy, so I thought I would mention it here for Feedback Friday...

Do you find the idea of "Switch it up Day" offensive or fun?

Would you feel differently if it were called "Gender Bender Day"?

Would you encourage your child to participate in this day as a series of themes for the week?

6.13.2013

The Big Guy and I have been visiting Key West together for the past 15 years or so. We love it more and more, and at this point, it feels like coming home as we step off plane onto the hot runway.

Our favorite place to stay is Simonton Court - a little oasis one block off Duval Street. You can see the inconspicuous entrance to the left of the building visible from Simonton Street. This compound used to be a cigar factory that was converted into a collection of cottages, rooms, and townhouses.

The gate is locked with a code once it's dark and this little spot is protected from any riff raff that might wander down from Duval Street late at night.

Look at this front porch with rocking chairs facing Simonton Street! So cute! We stayed in a room at the back of this building this year, facing the interior of Simonton Court.

Here is our room, called Honeysuckle. It was a sweet little room off the front gate with whitewashed walls, a comfy bed, and huge shower. We try to stay in a different room every time we visit.

Here is the path leading from our room to the interior of the compound. You won't believe what this path leads to!

This gorgeous main pool is our favorite - there are 4 others. It used to be an old cistern and the original bricks remain on each of the 4 corners. You can see the Manor House near the back and the breakfast area in between.

Come on back Monday and I'll tell you about some of the places we visited and fun things to do in Key West!

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About Me

I'm a mom to three boys (ages 8-12), who's life revolves around laundry, football practice, blogging and art. Much of my daily interaction with said boys involves snacking, burping, discussions about "balls" or "peters", farting, or You Tube.
I have a small business and a group of friends (both real and bloggy) who provide me with the necessary estrogen to survive my testosterone-filled days. Got any estrogen to spare? Come on in!

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